Backstory is the technical term for the background of your novel's characters - how did they get here, and why do they behave the way they do? It takes skill to incorporate it seamlessly into your story

Not every book needs to have detailed notes written out before you start writing. Sometimes it is because the story is already so well developed within you that those notes are not that necessary for you. But many other stories need to have notes...

All through history, great writers have teased their readers by gripping first paragraphs. I have tried to illustrate some examples of the ‘hook’ to give you an idea of what your readership may expect and find engaging. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. But, as novice writers wanting to make a ma